Rhode Island Rental Registry – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Rhode Island Rental Registry?

The Rhode Island Rental Registry is a statewide database that collects essential information about residential rental properties across Rhode Island. The registry supports the state’s efforts to maintain lead-safe housing standards and promote compliance with health and safety regulations.

Why does the Rhode Island Rental Registry exist?

The registry was established under the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. General Laws § 34-18-58). Its purpose is to improve housing safety, enhance public health protections, and ensure accountability among residential property owners.

Who is required to register a rental property?

All property owners or landlords who rent out residential properties in Rhode Island are required to register their rental units with the Rhode Island Rental Registry.

What types of properties must be registered?

The registration requirement applies to all residential rental properties, including:

Single-family homes
Multi-family properties
Condominiums
Apartment buildings and complexes

What information is required to be submitted?

Property owners must provide accurate and up-to-date information about their rental properties as required by state law. This information helps state and local agencies monitor compliance with housing and lead-safety standards.

Do tenants or renters need to register or submit information?

No. Tenants and renters are not required to submit any information to the Rhode Island Rental Registry. The responsibility for registration and compliance rests entirely with the property owner or landlord.

How does the Rental Registry benefit tenants and the public?

The Rhode Island Rental Registry helps ensure safer living conditions by supporting lead exposure prevention efforts, improving housing oversight, and strengthening compliance with state health and safety laws.

Lead Certificate & Rental Registry – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the requirement to have a lead certificate new?

No. The requirement to obtain a lead certificate is not new. It originates from the Lead Hazard Mitigation Act, which was passed in 2002 and officially enacted in 2005.

Have there been any recent updates to the law?

Yes. In 2024, the law was updated to remove the owner-occupied property exemption for rental units. As a result, rental properties that were previously exempt may now be required to comply with lead certification requirements.

Is the requirement to register rental properties new?

Yes. The requirement to register rental properties is new as of September 2024. The registration requirement was implemented as an enforcement mechanism to help ensure compliance with existing lead safety laws.

Why was the Rental Registry created?

The Rhode Island Rental Registry was created to improve enforcement of long-standing lead safety requirements and to increase compliance among landlords. The registry provides a centralized system for monitoring rental properties and ensuring they meet lead safety standards.

Was this registry modeled after another state’s program?

Yes. Rhode Island drew inspiration from Maryland, which implemented a similar rental property registry several years ago with positive results in improving lead safety compliance.

Why is this effort important?

Despite existing laws, more than 1,000 children in Rhode Island continue to be lead poisoned each year. Many of these exposures are preventable.

What is the goal of these requirements?

The goal is to increase landlord compliance with lead safety laws, reduce unnecessary lead exposure, and ultimately lower the number of children affected by lead poisoning across the state.

Presumptive Compliance – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is presumptive compliance?

Presumptive compliance is an option that allows certain large residential rental properties to meet lead safety requirements by inspecting a representative sample of units, rather than every individual unit.

Does my property qualify for presumptive compliance?

Your property may qualify for presumptive compliance if all of the following conditions are met:

The property was built between 1960 and 1978
The property contains ten (10) or more rental units

This option is only available to properties built after 1960 because lead-based paint began to be phased out in new construction during this period. Buildings from this era are often found to have lower levels of lead compared to older properties.

How many units are required to be inspected?

Under presumptive compliance, the Department of Health may inspect:

5% of the total rental units,
With a minimum requirement of two (2) units

These units serve as a representative sample for the entire property.

What are the next steps if my property qualifies?

Once you have received a Certificate of Conformance for the required 5% of units, you must submit an Application for Presumptive Compliance to the Rhode Island Department of Health for review and approval.

Where can I find the presumptive compliance application?

The application can be found at the following link:

https://health.ri.gov/forms/applications/Lead-Hazard-Presumptive-Compliance.pdf

How do I submit the application?

Completed applications should be submitted by email to:
DOH.LEADPROGRAM@HEALTH.RI.GOV

Affidavit of Visual Inspection – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an Affidavit of Visual Inspection?

An Affidavit of Visual Inspection allows eligible property owners to renew a Certificate of Conformance without obtaining a new full inspection, provided specific criteria are met.

Who is eligible to submit an Affidavit of Visual Inspection?

You may submit an Affidavit of Visual Inspection to renew your Certificate of Conformance if all of the following conditions are met:

You have a current, non-expired Certificate of Conformance issued by a licensed lead inspector or lead inspector technician
You, or a representative of the property (such as a property manager), have completed the 3-hour Lead Hazard Awareness Class for Landlords
The tenant currently occupying the unit is the same tenant who resided in the unit when the Certificate of Conformance was originally issued

What happens if my unit meets all eligibility requirements?

If your unit meets the criteria above, you may renew your Certificate of Conformance yourself by submitting an Affidavit of Visual Inspection to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Once approved, the affidavit will:

Extend your Certificate of Conformance for an additional two (2) years, or
Remain valid until the current tenant vacates the unit, whichever occurs first

When must the Affidavit of Visual Inspection be submitted?

The Affidavit of Visual Inspection must be submitted before your current Certificate of Conformance expires. Late submissions may require a new inspection by a licensed lead professional.

Where can I find the Affidavit of Visual Inspection application?